Polyolefin catheters

Abstract

The present disclosure provides catheters comprising a polyolefin-based liner forming an inner surface of the catheter for at least a part of its length; a reinforcing braid disposed in and/or around the polyolefin liner for at least a part of its length; and a polyolefin-based jacket forming an outer surface of the catheter, disposed in and/or around the braid for at least a part of its length. The disclosure further provides methods of making and using such catheters.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A catheter with a proximal end and a distal end defining a length, L, comprising:
 a polyolefin-based liner forming an inner surface of the catheter for at least a part of L;   a reinforcing braid disposed in and/or around the polyolefin liner for at least a part of L; and   a polyolefin-based jacket forming an outer surface of the catheter, disposed in and/or around the braid for at least a part of L.   
     
     
         2 . The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the polyolefin-based liner forms the inner surface of the catheter for the full length of the catheter. 
     
     
         3 . The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the polyolefin-based jacket forms the outer surface of the catheter for the full length of the catheter. 
     
     
         4 . The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the polyolefin-based liner forms the inner surface of the catheter for less than the full length of the catheter. 
     
     
         5 . The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the polyolefin-based jacket forms the outer surface of the catheter for less than the full length of the catheter. 
     
     
         6 . The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the polyolefin-based liner consists essentially of one or more polyolefins. 
     
     
         7 . The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the polyolefin-based jacket consists essentially of one or more polyolefins. 
     
     
         8 . The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein one or both of the polyolefin-based liner and the polyolefin-based jacket comprises one or more additives. 
     
     
         9 . The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the polyolefin-based liner has a density that differs from the density of the polyolefin-based jacket. 
     
     
         10 . The catheter of  claim 9 , wherein the polyolefin-based liner comprises one or more polyolefin resins that have a density between 0.90 g/cm 3  and 0.97 g/cm 3 . 
     
     
         11 . The catheter of  claim 9 , wherein the polyolefin-based jacket comprises one or more polyolefin resins that have a density between 0.85 g/cm 3  and 0.96 g/cm 3 . 
     
     
         12 . The catheter of  claim 9 , wherein the density of the polyolefin-based jacket is less than or equal to the density of the polyolefin-based liner. 
     
     
         13 . The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the polyolefin-based liner comprises LDPE, LLDPE, HDPE, HMWPE, or UHMWPE or a blend of any two or more thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the polyolefin-based liner has an average wall thickness of less than 0.200 mm. 
     
     
         15 . The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the polyolefin-based jacket comprises VLDPE, ULDPE, LDPE, LLDPE, HDPE, HMWPE, or UHMWPE or a blend of any two or more thereof. 
     
     
         16 . The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the polyolefin-based liner comprises a blend of one or more polyethylene homopolymers and one or more polyethylene copolymers. 
     
     
         17 . The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing braid comprises stainless steel or nitinol wires. 
     
     
         18 . The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing braid comprises a liquid crystal polymer, polypropylene or UHMWPE monofilament, multifilament or yarn. 
     
     
         19 . The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the polyolefin-based jacket comprises a blend of one or more polyethylene homopolymers, one or more polyethylene copolymers, and one or more ethylene-propylene copolymers. 
     
     
         20 . The catheter of  claim 1 , comprising two or more polyolefin-based jackets, each having a different density and each disposed in and around the braid for at least less than L, wherein the two or more polyolefin-based jackets are joined together.